Card. Suharyo: ‘Francis, a beacon of hope for all in Indonesia’

Presenting the imminent arrival of the pontiff, the Archbishop of Jakarta announced that on 5 September there will be a declaration together with the Grand Imam of the mosque, in the spirit of the Abu Dhabi document. Having reached the maximum capacity of 88,000 faithful for the Mass in the stadium, many more will follow it via streaming in the parishes. To facilitate travel, the Jakarta Authority has decreed a smart-working day for all offices.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Just a few days away from the arrival of Pope Francis, expected in Jakarta on the afternoon of 3 September, Card. Ignatius Suharyo and the president of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference Mgr Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, bishop of Bandung, presented the eagerly awaited appointment at a press conference yesterday. The Archbishop of Jakarta invited people to look at Pope Francis' visit as a “beacon of hope to promote good relations between different religious groups”.

The cardinal announced that during the meeting to be held on 5 September at the Istiqlal mosque - the large mosque overlooking the same square as the cathedral, where as a sign of friendship a tunnel linking the two places of worship is also about to be inaugurated - he will sign together with the Grand Imam of the mosque Nazaruddin Umar a document inspired by the Abu Dhabi Declaration on Human Brotherhood.

‘The interreligious meeting in the Grand Mosque,’ said Card. Suharyo - will clearly reflect the social harmony with the world of Islam, which Pope Francis has always sought. Indonesian Muslims strongly support this mission. And on the occasion of the visit they have also promoted the publication of a book entitled Salve, Peregrinans Spei in Latin, in which dozens of Muslim personalities pay homage to the Pontiff'.

For his part, Bishop Subianto said that 88,000 faithful will be able to be present at the Mass that will be held that same day at the stadium: they will follow the celebration from the stands and in another outdoor area connected to the giant screens that Pope Francis will visit.

Many more would have liked to be present, but have been invited to follow the event via streaming in the parishes of Jakarta, as the facilities cannot accommodate a larger number of people. To facilitate the movement of the faithful to the stadium, the Jakarta Authority has also decreed a smart-working day in all offices on 5 September.

‘About 800 priests, the two Indonesian cardinals, 34 Indonesian bishops, 10 bishops from other Asian countries and an Australian bishop will concelebrate with Pope Francis,‘ added the president of the Bishops’ Conference, in addition to the Vatican entourage. More than 700 Indonesian journalists will cover the Pontiff's trip and three of them will also be on the plane that will take the pontiff to Jakarta from Rome’.

‘We sincerely thank the Indonesian central government, the Jakarta Authority, the nunciature and the hundreds of volunteers,’ Mgr Subianto concluded, “for the work they are doing to ensure that Pope Francis” visit goes smoothly.